Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and the Canon EOS Rebel T6 (labelled Canon 1300D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively,
in November 2017 and March 2016. The G9 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the T6 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (G9) and an APS-C (T6) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 17.9 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their sensors, their features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic G9 and the Canon T6. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Canon T6 is somewhat smaller (2 percent) than the Panasonic G9. Moreover, the T6 is markedly lighter (26 percent) than the G9. It is worth mentioning in this context that the G9 is splash and dust resistant,
while the T6 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist.
You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (G9) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (T6). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Panasonic G9, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the G9 gets 400 shots out of its DMW-BLF19 battery,
while the T6 can take 500 images on a single charge of its LP-E10 power pack. The power pack in the G9 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger
along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The T6 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 74 percent) than the G9, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic G9 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Canon T6
an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T6 is 48 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.6. The sensor in the G9 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T6 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Panasonic G9 offers a higher
resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 17.9 MP of the Canon T6.
This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel
(with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 4.31μm for the T6). However, it should be noted that the G9 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the T6, and its sensor
might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the G9 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Unlike the T6, the G9 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80.6MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T6 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600..

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Panasonic G9»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/60p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic G9

Canon T6«

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

-

-

-

-

Canon T6

Canon T7«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/30p

-

-

-

-

Canon T7

Canon T5«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.9

11.3

724

63

Canon T5

Canon SL1«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.8

11.3

843

63

Canon SL1

Canon T5i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.7

11.2

681

61

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

APS-C

17.9

5184

3456

1080/30p

21.7

11.2

722

62

Canon T4i

Fujifilm X-H1«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon Z6«»

Full Frame

24.3

6048

4024

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1 II«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

23.7

12.8

1312

80

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH5s«»

Four Thirds

9.9

3680

2700

4K/60p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic GH5s

Panasonic GX9«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/60p

23.9

13.0

807

77

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

4K/30p

22.8

12.5

656

71

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX8«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

23.5

12.6

806

75

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GH4«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

4K/30p

23.2

12.8

791

74

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7 III«»

Full Frame

24.0

6000

4000

4K/30p

25.0

14.7

3730

96

Sony A7 III

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the G9 provides a higher video resolution than the T6. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the G9 has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), while the T6 has an optical one.
Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information
into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic G9, the Canon T6, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Shutter speed (1/sec)

Shutter flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Panasonic G9»

3680

Y

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

8000

20.0

n

Y

Panasonic G9

Canon T6«

optical

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon T6

Canon T7«»

optical

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon T7

Canon T5«»

optical

n

3.0

460

fixed

n

4000

3.0

Y

n

Canon T5

Canon SL1«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

fixed

Y

4000

4.9

Y

n

Canon SL1

Canon T5i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

optical

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

5.0

Y

n

Canon T4i

Fujifilm X-H1«»

3690

Y

3.0

1040

full-flex

Y

8000

14.0

n

Y

Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon Z6«»

3690

Y

3.2

2100

tilting

Y

8000

12.0

n

Y

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1 II«»

2360

n

3.0

1037

swivel

Y

8000

18.0

n

Y

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH5s«»

3680

n

3.2

1620

swivel

Y

8000

12.0

n

n

Panasonic GH5s

Panasonic GX9«»

2760

n

3.0

1240

tilting

Y

4000

9.0

Y

Y

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

3680

n

3.2

1620

swivel

Y

8000

12.0

n

Y

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

9.0

Y

Y

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX8«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

8000

10.0

n

Y

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GH4«»

2359

n

3.0

1036

swivel

Y

8000

12.0

Y

n

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7 III«»

2359

n

3.0

922

tilting

Y

8000

10.0

n

Y

Sony A7 III

One feature that is present on the G9, but is missing on the T6 is a top-level LCD.
While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The G9 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the T6 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the G9 features
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G9 and the T6 write their files to SDXC cards. The G9 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the T6
only has one slot.

Connectivity comparison: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and Canon EOS Rebel T6 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Panasonic G9»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

full

3.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic G9

Canon T6«

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon T6

Canon T7«»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon T7

Canon T5«»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T5

Canon SL1«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon SL1

Canon T5i«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T5i

Canon T4i«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon T4i

Fujifilm X-H1«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

3.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon Z6«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

3.1

Y

-

Y

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

3.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GH5s«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

full

3.1

Y

-

Y

Panasonic GH5s

Panasonic GX9«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

full

3.1

Y

-

Y

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX8«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GH4«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7 III«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

3.1

Y

Y

Y

Sony A7 III

It is notable that the G9 has a microphone port, which is missing on the T6.
Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Panasonic G9 (unlike the T6) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights
can be controlled by the camera.

The G9 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic.
In contrast, the T6 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the T6 was succeeded by the Canon T7.

Review summary: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic G9 or the Canon T6 – has the upper hand? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9:

Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.

High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (74 percent cheaper at launch).

More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in March 2016).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G9 is the clear winner of the match-up (23 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

G9 23:12 T6

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G9 or the T6 handle or perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews: Panasonic G9 vs Canon T6

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.